How to Plan a Hawaiian Christmas Vacation

hawaii beach resort image by csaba fikker from Fotolia.com

When December rolls around, say goodbye to the snow and aloha to a warm and sunny beach. While Hawaii might seem to be an unusual destination at Christmastime, the islands actually have plenty of holiday spirit. Christmas is one of the busiest tourist seasons in the South Pacific islands. Instead of staying in by the fire, outdoor enthusiasts can spend their Christmas holidays surfing or hiking through rain forests.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Choose an island. Each island has its own Christmas traditions and events, so take some time to figure out which island makes the best fit for you or your family. Oahu offers annual holiday concerts, ballet recitals, The Honolulu City Lights Ceremony, and parades--both on land and on the ocean. Maui offers a theatrical holiday vacation with musicals, plays, and symphonies. The island of Kauai is perfect for those craving festivals and crafts; there is a Christmas craft fair and gingerbread house festival to celebrate the season.

Step 2

Make reservations early. Lodging will fill up quickly, especially during this busy tourist season. Decide what kind of accommodations you are looking for; you can look into hotels, resorts or vacation homes. Call several months in advance to hold your spot. Be prepared to put down a deposit.

Step 3

Put a hold on a rental car. Many Hawaiian rental agencies run out of cars around the holiday season, and you will definitely want a car to get the most out of your vacation to the islands. Making these claims early can also help you keep the price lower than if you waited until you already reached your destination.

Step 4

Make Christmas dinner plans. Decide whether you want a traditional experience with your family or a festive Hawaiian luau. If you want to have a fancy dinner, making your reservations in advance or researching what restaurants or hotels offer traditional Christmas cuisine is a must.

Step 5

Create a loose schedule of events you want to take part in during your Christmas vacation. This does not need to be a rigid itinerary--just a simple list to ensure you don't miss out on a parade, festival, or Christmas production that you wanted to experience. Don't forget to leave room in the schedule for relaxing on the beach or exploring Hawaiian rain forests.

Step 6

Plan for presents. If you are buying Christmas presents before you travel, you will need to make sure they are small enough to fit in your luggage. Buying presents in Hawaii is another option, but be ready for crowded shops so close to Christmas. Evaluate your needs to decide the best plan of action.

Article Written By Kristin Wood

Kristin Wood entered the media industry in 2006 as a proofreader. She began her writing career in 2008, with work appearing in several online magazines, corporate blogs, nonprofit websites and local newspapers. Wood specializes in education, health, beauty, fashion, business and home-and-garden topics. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Point University.

Editor's Pick

5 Top North American Wildflower Hikes

Springtime brings a sense of new beginnings and new life as flowers begin to bloom and fill the air with their sweet and pleasant fragrance. Luckily we can see wildflowers all summer long, since spring hits at different times throughout North America. See flowering cactu...
More National Parks...
Popular Article

National Park Substitutes: Great Spots Without the Crowds

Coping with crowds at national parks can get tiresome, especially during the peak tourist season. If you want to escape from the herd, or just take a breather from the bustle of bigger attractions, the United States has plenty of less-visited but still worthwhile spots t...
More National Parks...
Featured Destination

Prevent Yourself from Getting Lost While Hiking

When you're hiking you're going to want to make sure you stay found. What I mean by that is that you've put an itinerary in the car, you know the area that you're hiking to, you know the route and the trail you plan on being on, you know what the trail markers are going ...
More Camping Basics...